COVID-19 Safety Protocols @ The Integrity Office

Per CDC guidelines, here are the safety protocols that are being taken when inside the Integrity building:

• Everyone regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose.
• If you do not have  mask, one will be provided for you.
• Hand sanitizer is provided throughout the office for your use.
• Temperatures are taken in the lobby.
• Surfaces are wiped down at the end of every day.
• During events open to the public, social distancing is enforced.
• The Integrity staff also follows the guidelines listed above.

New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Integrity Hosts Vaccine Event

New Jerusalem and Integrity Transformations Community Development Corporation, in partnership with Physicians Pharmacy,  is offering the Pfizer vaccine.  Please make  an  appointment  and  follow  the  directions  in  the  registration  link. Click here to make an appointment.

Supporting the Westside during the Corona Virus Outbreak

As the health crisis surrounding COVID-19 continues to develop, Integrity and its Westside Works partner training organizations have decided to cancel all programs until the CDC and Georgia Department of Health recommend that it is safe to resume.

We are aware that this uncertainty will impact our clients who depend on us to provide the services that lead to strong soft skills, access to training programs, and ultimately better employment. This is why we are working hard to pivot to online orientation and learning management systems. This digital shift will allow us to deliver our NET program online, host webinars and provide online education.

For Clients:

We want to ensure that you have the resources and support you need during these challenging times.

You can still go to the program page of the website or call 404-458-6413 to register for upcoming classes as they are rescheduled. Integrity and Westside Works will also provide orientation online - a link to the orientation video will appear on our website within the next week. From there, clients will be assigned a case manager with whom they will be able to hold phone appointments.

If you were registered for a class that was scheduled to begin in late March or early April, your case manager will call you once the class has been rescheduled to let you know the new class start date.

For more information regarding online learning, be sure to ask your case manager.

Integrity remains committed to serving both Westside and Atlanta residents through hard and soft skills training, and employment support to insure that no one is left behind. Stay safe, get the assistance you need and look to Integrity for support both during this crisis and after it ends.

Community Resources

Link to City of Atlanta COVID-19 Information: here
Link to United Way 2-1-1 COVID-19 Assistance: here. 2-1-1 is a full-service contact center which connects people to the assistance they need to address everyday challenges of living as well as those that develop during emergencies. United Way 2-1-1 is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in 140 different languages. You can connect to 2-1-1 by :

• Text the keyword “211od” to 898-211 to receive Corona Virus resources. You can also text 211od to 898-211 to find resources available to you in your zip code.
• Dial 2-1-1 and speak with a Community Connection Specialist
• Visit 211online: unitedwayatlanta.org and search our comprehensive database or chat with a Community Connection Specialist
• Email a Community Connection Specialist at contact 211@unitedwayatlanta.org
• Download the 2-1-1 mobile app to access our comprehensive database

Stay connected with free or low-cost Internet service through Everyone On. Click the link and select the criteria that apply to your household. The site lists offers available through both Comcast and AT&T. Information about AT&T's Access program is provided here.

Community Resources

• At Promise Center provides food distribution Monday to Friday 11am to 2pm
• Arthur Blank Family YMCA is providing snacks and dinner for youth and children under 18 between 2 and 4pm. YMCAs across the City are distributing meals for early learners, families and seniors, expanding our food pantries and partnering to provide additional food distribution programs. See the full list here.
• The Atlanta Community Food Bank has more than 50 sites for food distribution. Click here for that list.

Community Resources (Part 2)

APS FOOD DISTRIBUTION

After Spring Break, beginning Monday, April 13, APS will be streamlining meal distribution to provide meals one day a week each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon rather than 5 days per week. At any of these sites, you can pull up for drive-thru service or you can walk up for service. APS will offer a two-part food distribution service:

• First, students will receive five-day meal bags, containing five breakfast meals and five lunch meals each Monday. Those meals will be available at the 10 APS school sites via drive through and walk up. In addition, those five-day breakfast and lunch meals will be delivered through the bus delivery service on only the Monday using the same route schedule (please check the website https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/62031 for exact times).
• Second, a bag of weekly groceries will also be available to families at the five anchor sites (Bunche Middle School, Cleveland Avenue Elementary School, Douglass High School, Phoenix Academy, and Sylvan Hills Middle School).

Finally, if you would like to volunteer at any APS food distribution sites, please click here to use this sign up genius.

There are groups and individuals who are interested in helping to pick up food for families without transportation. They will do their best to meet your family’s needs. If you do not have transportation and would like assistance, please contact Sr’Lis Powell with Parent Avengers at Sr’Lis Powell spowell@parentavengers.org to see if she might be able to assist you.

As a reminder: The At Promise Center is serving meals from 11-2 Monday through Friday.

CHANGES TO SNAP RULES and BENEFITS

Some SNAP rules have changed because of COVID 19, and the new rules could allow you to receive important benefits during the crisis. Contact the Benefits Outreach team at (678)553-5917 to find out if you qualify.

1) SNAP households may receive a supplemental benefit (more than the regular monthly amount) for the months of March and April 2020. If you just enrolled in SNAP, you may still receive the benefit for the time that you have been on the program. Extra benefits will be loaded to the EBT card automatically.

2) No SNAP recipients are required to file evidence of work through the end of May 2020. If you lost SNAP benefits because of work requirements, you may be eligible now.

3) The re-certification deadline for current SNAP households has been extended by 6 months. Households that were required to re-certify (re-apply) for SNAP in March, April, May, June, July or August of 2020 will have their deadline automatically extended six months past the original deadline.

4) GA DFCS has closed many physical offices to prevent transmission of the virus. You are encouraged to apply online or request an application over the phone. In-person visits to DFCS may only be permitted with an appointment.

5) Other benefit programs, like Medicaid, school meals, and WIC, also have new rules because of COVID 19. Even if you were not eligible for these programs in the past, you may be able to receive them on an emergency basis. Call us for more information.

Not sure whether these rules apply to you or your family? The Atlanta Community Food Bank can help. Call (678)553-5917 or email benefits@acfb.org to get information right away.

EVICTION ISSUES

If you has been served with an eviction notice or are being evicted, please contact Darrius Woods from AVLF at dwoods@avlf.org. He is working remotely and can help guide you.

Georgia Legal Aid also has a resource list that may be helpful: https://www.georgialegalaid.org/resource/covid-19-resource-list